Dhoni is not more than Sachin!!!!

                                Dhoni - the word's power has been growing day by day since his entry into cricket in 2004. As he entered the ground with a long hair, no fan would have expected him to have contributed this much to cricket. When Indian team was long devoid of a Batsman-Wicket keeper on likes of Gilchrist, Dhoni proved his entry scoring 148 against Pakistan and 183 against Srilanka. When India was devoid of a Captain after 2007 worst world cup exit, Dhoni filled the heels with 2007 T20 World cup triumph. When India lost matches by 50 to 60 runs everytime, Dhoni decided to become Batsman-Wicket keeper (cum) Finisher on likes of Bevan and Hussey. Is it not a miracle in world cricket where one man adding each role to his cadre one by one whenever team needs it badly. I look to unveil some of such Dhoni's miracles both as a fan and an admirer. He acted not against traditions in cricket but added value acting both traditionally and rationally.
                                 Any Normal Captain in cricket will always be looking for a player with expertise in both batting and bowling departments. Yes Dhoni too mentions the lack of such an All-Rounder for Indian team in many media interactions. But did he kept on worrying ? No !!! He started looking for players with two-department expertise too. But this time with Fielding as a mandatory one. The result, most matches India won at a crucial stage belonged to fielders starting from T20 2007 Final to 2013 Champions trophy to Asia Cup 2016 final, this time Dhoni himself. Fitness requirement was hidden in Fielding necessity. Did he not look the game in a different way through traditional lenses ??
                                Do cricket needs character alone to succeed ?? Lots of experts would say technique is primary. But Dhoni thought both character and technique are equally important. Was highly evident in his intention of placing Kohli, Rohit, Ashwin, Jadeja continuously despite their initial ups and downs. He was strong enough to advocate that Character can help build/recharge technique necessary for the situation or vice versa. Have not these players developed themselves today as future of Indian team ?? Kohli with character of chasing down any total, Rohit with character of playing Long innings, Ashwin reading batsman more than any bowler to bowl in right areas in any part of world to come soon. Dhoni himself was exhibiting it in each match. No leaning cover drives, No Classy straight drives, No saucy flicks !! He swings according to required rate rather the book shots. Helicopter Shot, one of most innovative shots in history was one such example that character can build technique !! As is Sachin's Upar Cut or Dil Scoop. But that was the way he build his entire 13000 runs in International cricket.
                                Cricket for long has seen greats in Wicket Keeping - Gilchrist to Boucher to Mark Taylor to Sangakkara. All these legends have been acrobatic enough to exhibit their keeping skills. Dhoni entering the arena starts using his legs to guard late square boundary in spin bowling, drops his glove for the last over to aim at stumps and stop bye-run leading opposition to victory, flicking the deep throws directly towards stumps without wasting time, started breaking the bails in stumping immediately without pulling glove back creating less than a second reaction of stumping. Had he not sufficed enough to make up for the acrobatics of greats that he was accused long to have been missed. He has even surpassed these giants I suppose. Keeping has seen evolution because of Dhoni. That is contribution to the game beyond runs or wickets or catches etc. Dont we see that Exclusive Vision through a traditional lenses ??
                                Cool and composed conduct of playing is one such quality exhibited not just by Dhoni but by many players in the game including the God of Cricket - Sachin. But whats special in it when Dhoni exhibits ? Staying cool when you have to hit yourself 22 off 6 or 20 in last over or pulling team from 30 for 5 to 250 or defending 4 off last over as a Captain or hitting stumps to save a bye-run for the victory in the last over as a keeper. Have any player in history stayed that cool and won majority of such situations across different roles other than Dhoni.
                                Hailing from a humble background of Jharkhand where there was no proper stadium yet when Dhoni started his career in cricket from School, it is not an ordinary achievement. Many successful players in India came from a background with a decent cricket exposure. Is it ordinary to dream of a thing when it is far and hard to reach. His vision again made him do a meticulous planning of shortening exam time and reach to the opportunity as much as possible as his biopic shows. But critics say, "Every successful person should have done something like that in his life boss. Not worth for such a boasting !! "

We both are Cricket's own Child !!!

                                 Am not saying Dhoni is above Sachin. Am not saying Dhoni is the Best captain India ever had. Am not saying Dhoni can never be replaced by anyone. Am not saying Dhoni's coolness is the toughest Ice to break. Am saying Dhoni is arguably one of best players in cricket. When the phrase 'arguably' has been used to the levels of justifying demonetisation as best move against black money taken by any Indian Government ever in history, the word can and should be used to save Dhoni. And comparing him with Sachin is a disgrace to both. Every successful Indian player be it even Dravid or Ganguly or Sehwag etc has their own style and approach and fans for it. And every Dhoni fan is first a fan to Sachin. Lets respect the contribution of these players to the evolution of cricket. All of them have given their 100% to the game as a common quality and itself requires highest respect. And to sum up, I am a fan of cricket. I will start looking Dhoni's further contribution to the game as a player after he withdrew from captaincy. So keep on arguing but never wipe off anybody's contribution to the game. Cheers !!!